Comcast & Twitter Launch ‘SEEiT’

SEEiT, a feature that lets Comcast customers tune to a channel and set DVR recordings directly from Twitter, rolled out in limited “preview” form Friday on Twitter for iOS-powered devices.

The SEEiT capability will initially support two SyFy shows – the one-hour drama series Haven and the reality show Naked Vegas, Jana Messerschmidt, Twitter’s VP of business development & platform, wrote Friday in this blog post.

Now, when Comcast TV subs encounter a Tweet with the embedded SEEiT component and click on it, they’ll be presented with a menu of options, including the ability to tune in to the channel, set a DVR recording, launch a VOD title, or jump to a TV Everywhere app on a mobile device. Among the SEEiT features marked as “coming soon”: the ability to set reminders and to receive text messages when specific shows are airing.

“We are talking to other social networking websites, services, and apps so you will be able to use SEEiT in other places soon,” the SEEiT FAQ reads.

Save for features such as TV tuning and setting up DVR recordings, SEEiT does supports functions that can be used by non-Comcast subscribers.

“If you are not an XFINITY TV Subscriber, you may still be able to view certain shows on your mobile device through a third-party app, like a programmer's app,” the FAQ explains “We are always striving to improve our products and are working so that, in the future, everyone will be able to enjoy easy access to their favorite shows."

Time Warner Cable has said it’s looking into supporting SEEiT, but has not announced any commitments.

SEEiT’s early support for two NBC shows is expected to be just the start. Last month, Comcast, Twitter and NBCUniversal said SEEiT will also show up for other networks and shows from the NBCU stable, including NBC’s The Voice, The Blacklist, Chicago Fire, The Michael J. Fox Show, Sunday Night Football and Today Show; NBC’s and NBC Sports Network’s Access Hollywood, coverage of NHL games, Premiere League Soccer, and the Sochi Olympics; and USA Network's Psych and Suits.

SEEiT will eventually support additional shows from CNBC, MSNBC, Syfy, Bravo, Oxygen, E!, Esquire Network and The Golf Channel. Comcast said it is working with other programmers and channels to integrate SEEiT.